Ace Hotel & Swim Club

Douglas Lyle Thompson and Jon Johnson / Ace Hotel

This isn't just another of the city's signature midcentury modern hotels. "We absolutely didn't want it to be just about that," said Roman Alonso, a partner at L.A.'s Commune, the principal design team. "There are elements of camping, elements of communal living, elements of nature" -- as well as an urban-vibe-meets-desert-resort ambience. Having booked one of the $89 rooms, I expected little more than a Motel 6. I was wrong. The second-floor room, a simple king, was 295 square feet with a nice sitting area. At first I was puzzled by all the off-white canvas covering one wall, the French doors and the platform bed. Nautical in the desert? Then it dawned on me: Sahara and tents. -- Beverly Beyette Read more: Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a hybrid apart in Palm Springs Planning your trip: Ace Hotel & Swim Club 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 325-9900 www.acehotel.com

This isn't just another of the city's signature midcentury modern hotels. "We absolutely didn't want it to be just about that," said Roman Alonso, a partner at L.A.'s Commune, the principal design team. "There are elements of camping, elements of communal living, elements of nature" -- as well as an urban-vibe-meets-desert-resort ambience. Having booked one of the $89 rooms, I expected little more than a Motel 6. I was wrong. The second-floor room, a simple king, was 295 square feet with a nice sitting area. At first I was puzzled by all the off-white canvas covering one wall, the French doors and the platform bed. Nautical in the desert? Then it dawned on me: Sahara and tents. -- Beverly Beyette Read more: Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a hybrid apart in Palm Springs Planning your trip: Ace Hotel & Swim Club 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 325-9900 www.acehotel.com (Douglas Lyle Thompson and Jon Johnson / Ace Hotel)

This isn't just another of the city's signature midcentury modern hotels. "We absolutely didn't want it to be just about that," said Roman Alonso, a partner at L.A.'s Commune, the principal design team. "There are elements of camping, elements of communal living, elements of nature" -- as well as an urban-vibe-meets-desert-resort ambience. Having booked one of the $89 rooms, I expected little more than a Motel 6. I was wrong. The second-floor room, a simple king, was 295 square feet with a nice sitting area. At first I was puzzled by all the off-white canvas covering one wall, the French doors and the platform bed. Nautical in the desert? Then it dawned on me: Sahara and tents. -- Beverly Beyette Read more: Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a hybrid apart in Palm Springs Planning your trip: Ace Hotel & Swim Club 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 325-9900 www.acehotel.com